The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1887-02-17
EARLY OHIO DAYS.
Sketch Of VIM. Allen, Fourth Gov.
ernor Of the State.
"Reminiscences by the Oldest Citizen In the
scioto valley-A Chilllcothe Author.

The lives Of three of Ohio's distinguished
early Governors who are buried ut Chillicothe
were sketched in a preceding paper, and the ca
reer Of Nathaniel Massie, declared to have been
elected Governor by the Legislature, was also
duly exploited.
The fourth Governor Of Ohio chosen from Ross
County was William Allen, who, like most Of
the others from tho Scioto Valley, was Of South
'ern birth and extraction.
William Allen was born at Edentown, Chow
an County, South Carolina, in 1907. Both of his
parents died while he was very young child,
and his training devolved upon his only sister, q
woman Of strong character, who was also the
mother Of Allen G. Thurman.
William Aliens sister did q great deal for
him, and she not only made him o manly boy,
left him with such excellent wisdom that she
was enabled to give him the advantage Of the
best schools
In 1881 Mrs. Thurman removed with her hus.
band to Chillicothe, leaving her brother to at
tend private academy at Lynchburg, Va.
Two years later he, too, came to Ohio, and con-
tinued his studies at the old academy in Chilli
'cothe. 1t is said that he made the journey
from Lynchburg, Va, to Chillicothe alone and
on foot.
When young Allen had finished his academic
career he entered the law office of Edward
King, the able son Of Rufus King Of New
York. While studying his text books young
Allen devoted q good deal Of time to the culti
walton Of an effective manner of public speak
ing, to which talent he was 80 much indebted
for success in public life.
Allen made, It is believed, his first speech in
one Of the lower rooms Of the old State House,
where he addressed debating club, OF which
he was an active member.
William Allen was admitted to the practice of
law before he was twenty years of age, and he
must have been uncommonly mature to have
hoped to compete in any way with Bar which
w affn uhnd fOw unfxt IrnD
partner of his preceptor William King, and
soon began to make an impression as an advo-
cate.
He was tall and impressive in figure and was
possessed Of q voice Of wonderful power and
hexibility.
While still very young man he was nomi-
mated for Congress by the Democrats of his
district and elected by a majority Of one vote.
He was the youngest man in the Twenty-third
Congress, but he filled respectable place
in 1t.
In the first month of 1887, Mr.. Allen made
speech at a banquet in Columbus that made
profound impression. and one altogether favor
able to him. The result was that he was nomi-
mated and elected to the U. 8. Senate as the
successor Of Thomas Ewing.
Mr. Allen was reelected to the Senate before
the close Of his first term, and II was during
these twelve years Of public life at Washington
that his powers attained their fullest and most
effective development. He was for great
many years chairman Of the Committee on For
eign Relations.
In 1915 Senator Allen married Mrs. Effie
Macarthur Coons the handsome daughter of
Ex-Governor Duncan Macarthur Old Governor
Macarthur disliked Senator Allen very hearth
ly, but that did not prevent sincere attach
ment springing pp between the two younger
people.
Mrs. Allen inherited from Governor Near
thur the old homestead, Fruit Hill" and his
~ q In ov1fJ& nnto